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Racism in the U.S. elections

What, for letting a gang of morons run his campaign? He knew what he was getting into. He knows there's a huge festering pool of racism in the USA pumped full of anecdotal "proofs" that black people get put ahead of white people for jobs when the cultural mythos is that "every man is exactly equal", and pumped full of "proofs" that every black man is a criminal because that's what they see on TV.

He also knows that the American population has been uniquely schooled into this level of ignorance because of policies he helped support, giving tax money away to rich people while starving the public education system, which would have promoted the critical thinking skills needed for people to walk away from coded approval of racist commentary.

What, for letting a gang of morons run his campaign? He knew what he was getting into. He knows there's a huge festering pool of racism in the USA pumped full of anecdotal "proofs" that black people get put ahead of white people for jobs when the cultural mythos is that "every man is exactly equal", and pumped full of "proofs" that every black man is a criminal because that's what they see on TV.

He also knows that the American population has been uniquely schooled into this level of ignorance because of policies he helped support, giving tax money away to rich people while starving the public education system, which would have promoted the critical thinking skills needed for people to walk away from coded approval of racist commentary.

He's only sorry because it got out of control and he got caught. Don't kid yourself. Republicans love riding tigers they think they can control, ranging from the Religious Right's ability to marshal foot soldiers and money, to coded racist and sexist commentary designed to activate their voter base who can be relied on to act emotionally not logically.

He's only sorry because it got out of control and he got caught. Don't kid yourself. Republicans love riding tigers they think they can control, ranging from the Religious Right's ability to marshal foot soldiers and money, to coded racist and sexist commentary designed to activate their voter base who can be relied on to act emotionally not logically.

Of course I have no way of knowing what's in McCain's mind. But just as a general principle it seems to me to be a mistake to suppose that people one opposes ideologically and on a class basis must be utterly evil as individuals.

I'm not saying that anyone has said or implied that McCain is utterly evil on a personal level. I'm just making a general point. [img]wink.gif" border="0[/img]

Of course I have no way of knowing what's in McCain's mind. But just as a general principle it seems to me to be a mistake to suppose that people one opposes ideologically and on a class basis must be utterly evil as individuals.

I'm not saying that anyone has said or implied that McCain is utterly evil on a personal level. I'm just making a general point. [img]wink.gif" border="0[/img]

I think he deserves some credit for speaking like that though in my opinion the motivations are somewhat suspect. He did this after the flack started rolling in, bad press about it as well as some significant admonishment from his own party members including several prominent figures. I want to believe he is sincere and 'saw a bit of the light' so to speak but any sincerity that he spoke at that rally is mitigated by the fact that he is still running some pretty slanderous ads that counter those words he spoke. In fact the very day he spoke those words a new ad came out that connected Obamas wife Michelle with the whole Ayers, terrorist meme and the propaganda arm of the party a la Fox and talk radio has stepped things up in the past couple of days.

The stump speeches have changed somewhat but on all the other fronts nothing has changed. People are reporting that all of that crap are still in the 'talking points' of on the ground campaigning as well, so I guess the message hasn't reached there yet.

I can't help but feel rather cynical that it was more just a media thing to counter all the negative press. On that day his spokesperson came out with their official response which basically said they can't be responsible for what their supporters say or do, which is true to a point. I can't help but feel that his words were more about setting up a situation of plausible deniability and basically a typical strategy of talking out of both sides of their mouths.

I think he deserves some credit for speaking like that though in my opinion the motivations are somewhat suspect. He did this after the flack started rolling in, bad press about it as well as some significant admonishment from his own party members including several prominent figures. I want to believe he is sincere and 'saw a bit of the light' so to speak but any sincerity that he spoke at that rally is mitigated by the fact that he is still running some pretty slanderous ads that counter those words he spoke. In fact the very day he spoke those words a new ad came out that connected Obamas wife Michelle with the whole Ayers, terrorist meme and the propaganda arm of the party a la Fox and talk radio has stepped things up in the past couple of days.

The stump speeches have changed somewhat but on all the other fronts nothing has changed. People are reporting that all of that crap are still in the 'talking points' of on the ground campaigning as well, so I guess the message hasn't reached there yet.

I can't help but feel rather cynical that it was more just a media thing to counter all the negative press. On that day his spokesperson came out with their official response which basically said they can't be responsible for what their supporters say or do, which is true to a point. I can't help but feel that his words were more about setting up a situation of plausible deniability and basically a typical strategy of talking out of both sides of their mouths.

A revealing survey was conducted by Stanford University with the Associated Press and Yahoo! in September. It showed that Obama would be at least 6 percentage points higher in every poll if he were white. What is known as the “Bradley effect” (referring to the African-American Democratic candidate, Tom Bradley, for governor of California in 1982 who lost even though he was up by more than 10 points in many polls) is why few assume that the economic crisis and other indicators assure that Barack Obama will win the November 4 election.

The steelworkers’ union in Pennsylvania is going door to door in working class neighbourhoods to win support for Obama. They’ve heard comments from white co-workers about not voting for “that boy”, some saying outright they will never vote for a Black man — and these statements are only from those who are open about stating their views. These are workers who have lost their jobs or and are angry about the Wall Street bailout.

Phillip Goff, a social psychologist at UCLA who focuses his research on “racism without racists”, notes, “When we fixate on the racist individuals, we’ve focused on the least interesting way that race works. Most of the way race functions is without the need for racial animus.”

In other words, he explains, the problem is those whites and others who believe in racial equality and have no objection to electing a Black person as president, yet who discriminate unconsciously. This is particularly true for older Americans. The younger generations who grew up after the victory of the civil rights movements in the 1960s tend to be less concerned about race and voting for a Black president. - [url=http://links.org.au/node/681]Source[/url]

A revealing survey was conducted by Stanford University with the Associated Press and Yahoo! in September. It showed that Obama would be at least 6 percentage points higher in every poll if he were white. What is known as the “Bradley effect” (referring to the African-American Democratic candidate, Tom Bradley, for governor of California in 1982 who lost even though he was up by more than 10 points in many polls) is why few assume that the economic crisis and other indicators assure that Barack Obama will win the November 4 election.

The steelworkers’ union in Pennsylvania is going door to door in working class neighbourhoods to win support for Obama. They’ve heard comments from white co-workers about not voting for “that boy”, some saying outright they will never vote for a Black man — and these statements are only from those who are open about stating their views. These are workers who have lost their jobs or and are angry about the Wall Street bailout.

Phillip Goff, a social psychologist at UCLA who focuses his research on “racism without racists”, notes, “When we fixate on the racist individuals, we’ve focused on the least interesting way that race works. Most of the way race functions is without the need for racial animus.”

In other words, he explains, the problem is those whites and others who believe in racial equality and have no objection to electing a Black person as president, yet who discriminate unconsciously. This is particularly true for older Americans. The younger generations who grew up after the victory of the civil rights movements in the 1960s tend to be less concerned about race and voting for a Black president. - [url=http://links.org.au/node/681]Source[/url]

The response to the worldwide economic meltdown that was engineered by wealthy and powerful white people is now being blamed on black Americans. As the new talking point goes, undeserving black people caused worldwide financial markets to crash when they defaulted on home mortgages. It is a supreme irony that a black man is on the verge of becoming president, while the rest of black America is caught in the familiar role of scapegoat for the nation's troubles.

Obama is truly admired, even loved, by many white people. His appeals to hope and change are indeed potent. The consultants who marketed those phrases certainly knew the power behind them. [b]Obama's refusal to directly address the needs of black people is also appealing to white people. They can support him without having to change the bigoted attitudes they still hold against other black people.[/b]

"Many white people, including some who claim to support Obama, continue to hold very negative opinions about black people."

However, it has to be pointed out that lofty campaign talking points can't placate people who are proudly and openly racist. They still don't to see a black person in the position of ultimate political authority, not even an eloquent, biracial, photogenic politician who never addresses black people's needs and who even has a white grand mother to trot out at convenient times. The very idea that a black man will be president makes these people very, very angry....

Obama appeals to many white people precisely because of his own denunciation of black demands for justice, or even the memory of past injustice. Rev. Jeremiah Wright knows that all too well.

The racist attacks directed at Obama pose a terrible dilemma. The primary one being that he doesn't acknowledge that racism exists. It has disappeared, bringing black people "90% of the way" towards equality.

The response to the worldwide economic meltdown that was engineered by wealthy and powerful white people is now being blamed on black Americans. As the new talking point goes, undeserving black people caused worldwide financial markets to crash when they defaulted on home mortgages. It is a supreme irony that a black man is on the verge of becoming president, while the rest of black America is caught in the familiar role of scapegoat for the nation's troubles.

Obama is truly admired, even loved, by many white people. His appeals to hope and change are indeed potent. The consultants who marketed those phrases certainly knew the power behind them. [b]Obama's refusal to directly address the needs of black people is also appealing to white people. They can support him without having to change the bigoted attitudes they still hold against other black people.[/b]

"Many white people, including some who claim to support Obama, continue to hold very negative opinions about black people."

However, it has to be pointed out that lofty campaign talking points can't placate people who are proudly and openly racist. They still don't to see a black person in the position of ultimate political authority, not even an eloquent, biracial, photogenic politician who never addresses black people's needs and who even has a white grand mother to trot out at convenient times. The very idea that a black man will be president makes these people very, very angry....

Obama appeals to many white people precisely because of his own denunciation of black demands for justice, or even the memory of past injustice. Rev. Jeremiah Wright knows that all too well.

The racist attacks directed at Obama pose a terrible dilemma. The primary one being that he doesn't acknowledge that racism exists. It has disappeared, bringing black people "90% of the way" towards equality.

Diane Fedele, the president of the responsible organization, Chaffey Community Republican Women, Federated, says the image was distributed without any racist intent. "I never connected," she told a local newspaper. "It was just food to me. It didn't mean anything else."

Diane Fedele, the president of the responsible organization, Chaffey Community Republican Women, Federated, says the image was distributed without any racist intent. "I never connected," she told a local newspaper. "It was just food to me. It didn't mean anything else."

"When asked about the site by a reporter, my first thought was not to beat up on this volunteer, when I should have thought first about doing the right thing - taking it down and condemning the material," said MacGlashan. "At first, I did not realize how offensive the material was, and in the rush to move past it, I didn't take it seriously enough."

Oh, please.

They're squealing with delight behind closed doors in the Republican party, even if they pro forma had to hang someone out to dry for this.

They managed to slip a nasty piece of work into the American political consciousness and do so effectively.

Those Americans who believe that it's fine to dehumanize anyone who isn't white will get a visceral thrill out of the "waterboard Obama" sticker, because it reinforces their basic idea that anyone who isn't white isn't really an American.

And as for the Obama-Osama thing, only an idiot would actually believe it's anything but BS (as in really BS, as in Bull Hockey), but nonetheless there are enough idiots in the US who'll go OMG HE'S A TERIST I KNEW IT and vote for that asshat McCain and his vicious sidekick Palin. (If you don't think she isn't vicious, look at the way she tried hounding that sheriff guy out of his job, and how she's been all too happy to say "you guys just GET IT!" when inciting a crowd to make defamatory and hateful remarks about Barack Obama)

"When asked about the site by a reporter, my first thought was not to beat up on this volunteer, when I should have thought first about doing the right thing - taking it down and condemning the material," said MacGlashan. "At first, I did not realize how offensive the material was, and in the rush to move past it, I didn't take it seriously enough."

Oh, please.

They're squealing with delight behind closed doors in the Republican party, even if they pro forma had to hang someone out to dry for this.

They managed to slip a nasty piece of work into the American political consciousness and do so effectively.

Those Americans who believe that it's fine to dehumanize anyone who isn't white will get a visceral thrill out of the "waterboard Obama" sticker, because it reinforces their basic idea that anyone who isn't white isn't really an American.

And as for the Obama-Osama thing, only an idiot would actually believe it's anything but BS (as in really BS, as in Bull Hockey), but nonetheless there are enough idiots in the US who'll go OMG HE'S A TERIST I KNEW IT and vote for that asshat McCain and his vicious sidekick Palin. (If you don't think she isn't vicious, look at the way she tried hounding that sheriff guy out of his job, and how she's been all too happy to say "you guys just GET IT!" when inciting a crowd to make defamatory and hateful remarks about Barack Obama)

Mike Lunsford hung the ghost in his yard. He spoke to us off-camera, saying his views could hurt his employers business ... but he says make no mistake: He doesn't want an African American running the country.

Lunsford says he believes Barack Obama is not a "full blooded American." And he says the United States is a white, Christian nation - and only with white Christians should be in power. With Lunsford not willing to share his views on-camera:

Mike Lunsford hung the ghost in his yard. He spoke to us off-camera, saying his views could hurt his employers business ... but he says make no mistake: He doesn't want an African American running the country.

Lunsford says he believes Barack Obama is not a "full blooded American." And he says the United States is a white, Christian nation - and only with white Christians should be in power. With Lunsford not willing to share his views on-camera:

When seeing these ugly things and people in the bare cold light, I have to confess to a certain degree of trepidation and resignation regarding the thought that at some point in the future, a clash of ideologies will be bought upon socially minded groups of people, and not just at the political level. The danger from regressive constituencies has always existed, but it seems the more they feel under threat of being moved further to the fringe, the more they are prone to lash out in a physical sense at those who believe in a different society. This reality is not lost even on the likes of McCain, whose support is largely derived from this sort of ignorance, as he feebly tried to reign in some of the hatred during his campaign stops, even if the attempt was made solely for the camera's sake. At some point, those who count on such support will be unable to control the Frankenstein they helped to create. The fear is that one-day, a politician may come along who will see some benefit in stoking these hatreds for maximum effect, even beyond that which already exists. After seeing the pervasiveness of how these abhorrent views holds sway over North American society, I’m uncertain if the potential arising from this kind of clash might not bring about something better in the long run.

When seeing these ugly things and people in the bare cold light, I have to confess to a certain degree of trepidation and resignation regarding the thought that at some point in the future, a clash of ideologies will be bought upon socially minded groups of people, and not just at the political level. The danger from regressive constituencies has always existed, but it seems the more they feel under threat of being moved further to the fringe, the more they are prone to lash out in a physical sense at those who believe in a different society. This reality is not lost even on the likes of McCain, whose support is largely derived from this sort of ignorance, as he feebly tried to reign in some of the hatred during his campaign stops, even if the attempt was made solely for the camera's sake. At some point, those who count on such support will be unable to control the Frankenstein they helped to create. The fear is that one-day, a politician may come along who will see some benefit in stoking these hatreds for maximum effect, even beyond that which already exists. After seeing the pervasiveness of how these abhorrent views holds sway over North American society, I’m uncertain if the potential arising from this kind of clash might not bring about something better in the long run.

Wishing for destruction to bring about change is not, IMO, a helpful thing. Yes, the violence that will result may convince many that racism really is not the answer, but in the process there will be many injuries and most likely deaths. This is not humane.

It took World War 2 to make people realize the extremes to which fascist ideologies coupled with dehumanization of an "other" can lead to horrible ends. Yet I would have well preferred there to be no war needed for people to have their minds changed.

Just as I now prefer that there be a peaceful changing of the minds, for all human beings should be able to co-exist without rancor or hate.

Wishing for destruction to bring about change is not, IMO, a helpful thing. Yes, the violence that will result may convince many that racism really is not the answer, but in the process there will be many injuries and most likely deaths. This is not humane.

It took World War 2 to make people realize the extremes to which fascist ideologies coupled with dehumanization of an "other" can lead to horrible ends. Yet I would have well preferred there to be no war needed for people to have their minds changed.

Just as I now prefer that there be a peaceful changing of the minds, for all human beings should be able to co-exist without rancor or hate.

Originally posted by DrConway:[b]Wishing for destruction to bring about change is not, IMO, a helpful thing.[/b]

Well, not wishing at all, hence the trepidation and uncertainty. Some may have learned lessons from a study of WWII, or by living through it, but those would not be the people we're discussing here. But really, what does one do when it comes upon you or the people that matter to you?

Originally posted by DrConway:[b]Wishing for destruction to bring about change is not, IMO, a helpful thing.[/b]

Well, not wishing at all, hence the trepidation and uncertainty. Some may have learned lessons from a study of WWII, or by living through it, but those would not be the people we're discussing here. But really, what does one do when it comes upon you or the people that matter to you?

quote:A 74-year-old woman and a 46-year-old man with Obama signs in their front yards near the 600 block of South Villa Avenue received similar letters that had a Villa Park Village Hall return address. "Get the Obama signs off your property—now," the letter reads. "Failure to obey this order will result in the immediate death of all family members." Both residents said they will not remove their signs, though the man, who had voted Republican for 25 years before switching parties this year, said his wife is worried about letting their 7-year-old son play alone outside.

quote:A 74-year-old woman and a 46-year-old man with Obama signs in their front yards near the 600 block of South Villa Avenue received similar letters that had a Villa Park Village Hall return address. "Get the Obama signs off your property—now," the letter reads. "Failure to obey this order will result in the immediate death of all family members." Both residents said they will not remove their signs, though the man, who had voted Republican for 25 years before switching parties this year, said his wife is worried about letting their 7-year-old son play alone outside.

Sheriff’s deputies are investigating. The tires were cut while people were inside the Crown Coliseum listening to speeches, said Maj. E. Wright of the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office.

There's even helpful sites on the net now that gives ideas on how to protect your lawn signs. There's at least 3 webcams set up to watch over signs that have been vandalized numerous times. I've come across news stories of at least five alledged assaults and the reports of cars being keyed, sprayed or windows broken that are to numerous to list.

To be fair there are reports of Repubs signs being vandalized as well as a few other incidents of confrontation and vandalism including a Republican office, though I think a Dem office was messed up as well in Colorado.

I suppose to get an idea of which 'side' is worse one would have to gather all of these reports up, confirm them and compare. There does seem to be a lean towards the Dem side though and I can't help but feel just by the number I'm coming across that it's been picking up in the last week.

Sheriff’s deputies are investigating. The tires were cut while people were inside the Crown Coliseum listening to speeches, said Maj. E. Wright of the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office.

There's even helpful sites on the net now that gives ideas on how to protect your lawn signs. There's at least 3 webcams set up to watch over signs that have been vandalized numerous times. I've come across news stories of at least five alledged assaults and the reports of cars being keyed, sprayed or windows broken that are to numerous to list.

To be fair there are reports of Repubs signs being vandalized as well as a few other incidents of confrontation and vandalism including a Republican office, though I think a Dem office was messed up as well in Colorado.

I suppose to get an idea of which 'side' is worse one would have to gather all of these reports up, confirm them and compare. There does seem to be a lean towards the Dem side though and I can't help but feel just by the number I'm coming across that it's been picking up in the last week.

Will Obama give another huge speech on race, will he play some of the sermons which are soo great, or will he just say "Hey, I already disavowed him".

This is the one thing that could really fuck him up. This is why I wished he'd called out Hannity's bullshit from the beginning.[/b]

I don't think he'll say much of anything and follow the same strategy as they have with the whole Ayers thing. It hasn't worked and poll after poll has shown that beyond the GOP base people just don't care and are actually turned off by these sorts of attacks. The surrogates may bring up Palin's pastor and perhaps we'll get to hear about Hagee the Nazi sympathizer and McCain again.

Then if it gets bad some 527 will blast the airwaves with the video of Palin and her nutty pastor who speaks about Christian's taking over government for God, the problem with "Israelites" and her getting exorcised and blessed against witchcraft and Wright, except for the Christian base that actually believes in that sort of thing won't seem half as bad. Palin's pastor problem is way more damning for the people they're trying to get votes from.

Frankly with all of that waiting in the wings, plus that fact that 'Wright affair' has already been done ad nauseum during the primaries, I think it speaks of the desperation or idiocy of the McCain campaign. 'Wright' could backfire huge.

Will Obama give another huge speech on race, will he play some of the sermons which are soo great, or will he just say "Hey, I already disavowed him".

This is the one thing that could really fuck him up. This is why I wished he'd called out Hannity's bullshit from the beginning.[/b]

I don't think he'll say much of anything and follow the same strategy as they have with the whole Ayers thing. It hasn't worked and poll after poll has shown that beyond the GOP base people just don't care and are actually turned off by these sorts of attacks. The surrogates may bring up Palin's pastor and perhaps we'll get to hear about Hagee the Nazi sympathizer and McCain again.

Then if it gets bad some 527 will blast the airwaves with the video of Palin and her nutty pastor who speaks about Christian's taking over government for God, the problem with "Israelites" and her getting exorcised and blessed against witchcraft and Wright, except for the Christian base that actually believes in that sort of thing won't seem half as bad. Palin's pastor problem is way more damning for the people they're trying to get votes from.

Frankly with all of that waiting in the wings, plus that fact that 'Wright affair' has already been done ad nauseum during the primaries, I think it speaks of the desperation or idiocy of the McCain campaign. 'Wright' could backfire huge.

quote: A pickup truck of early 1990s era was in the carpark, and scrawled across the side of it in big, carefully-lettered permanent marker were the words "Southern White Hard-Working Beer-Drinking Gun-Owning White Man In His 50s FOR OBAMA!", with the last two words drawn about eighteen inches high.

quote: A pickup truck of early 1990s era was in the carpark, and scrawled across the side of it in big, carefully-lettered permanent marker were the words "Southern White Hard-Working Beer-Drinking Gun-Owning White Man In His 50s FOR OBAMA!", with the last two words drawn about eighteen inches high.